This February, Oregon celebrates its 160th birthday. Albany will be honoring this special occasion by giving an insight into pioneer life during the Oregon Statehood Celebration on Saturday, February 16, 2019. The Monteith Historical Society will be sponsoring a day full of family-friendly activities throughout Historic Downtown Albany. Trolley tours, pioneer crafts and games, tours of several historic buildings as well as the new Albany Fire Department are just a few highlights of the event which will run from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public and kicks off with a birthday cake celebration at Albany Regional Museum (136 Lyon St S) at 11:30 a.m. where carousel ride coupons will be given away as a party gift for all guests. A complete list of locations and activities will be available at the birthday cake celebration or you can stop by the Albany Visitors Association on the day of the event to pick one up.
The Oregon Statehood Celebration is just one opportunity to discover Oregon's history, but there are plenty of opportunities this winter. Visit the area's art galleries, museums and heritage sites and enjoy a walk through the past. Check out Downtown Albany's hit after hours series, “First Friday,” this month featuring the Big Show of Little Art reception at the Gallery Calapooia coming up on February 1, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. and continuing on through the month (regular hours are Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.). Albany Regional Museum will be opening their latest exhibit “Where There's Smoke: Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Albany Fire Department,” on February 16. Learn about the past 150 years of Albany Fire Department and see if you have the strength to match Albany's early firefighters with the scale model pumper on display. Albany Regional Museum is open Tuesday- Friday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. A fun stop for everyone, Albany's Historic Carousel & Museum is open year round from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. every day except for Tuesday. Visit the last water-powered mill in Oregon at Thompson Mill's Heritage site which is open daily from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tour the Monteith House Museum which is open from 12 - 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and step back into the Pioneer Era. Stay up to date on the latest events happening in and around Albany through the Albany Visitors Association.
